In this paper, we discuss the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA's) procedural and regulatory practices that present challenges to the introduction of on-demand aviation (ODA) and pay particular attention to the impacts of increasingly autonomous piloting practices being pursued under ODA. The concept of ODA discussed in this research is that of a small electric or hybrid-electric air vehicle, with propeller-based propulsion, resulting in a low-greenhouse-gas-emissions footprint and substantially reduced pilot requirements through the use of automation. We outline the structure of the Federal Aviation Regulations, subchapters and parts, examining each subchapter in turn for areas of applicability for ODA certification, both pilot and vehicle. Our examination of reduced pilot roles makes use of the simplified vehicle operations levels that proceed from human pilot roles to full autonomy, as described in NASA research. We discuss risk-assessment options and suggest research to support aircraft and operator certification.
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